As You Like It at Sudeley Castle

11 to 12 August – Sudeley Castle will be playing host to two Shakespeare performances with a twist this summer, when As You Like It goes alfresco.

Fingers, and even toes, are being crossed for dry skies as Sudeley Castle prepares for an open-air performance of one of Shakespeare’s favourites. As for one weekend only the celebrated theatre company Festival Players will be bringing their colourful production of As You Like It to the county, for an evening of romance, comedy and picnics in the castle’s majestic grounds.

In a historic move, no less than four members of the all male cast will don skirts and wigs to play the female characters, in this year’s production of the famous story which sees the beautiful Rosalind fall in love with a young man called Orlando.

Director Michael Dyer said: ‘Although it might seem unusual today to field an all-male cast it is in fact totally authentic – we are just following in the footsteps of Shakespeare’s own Elizabethan Globe Theatre when all the roles were taken by men’. In a break from tradition, he has promised that this will also be an easily digestible production of Shakespeare’s comedy.

Included in the cast are a number of actors from Gloucestershire and the weekend’s performances will also unusually incorporate original music, specially composed by singer-songwriter Johnny Coppin.

If a spot of the Bard sounds like your idea of bliss, bring blankets and a bite to eat for a summer’s evening in the great outdoors.

Event: Shakespeare’s As You Like It theatre performance
Venue: Sudeley Castle
Date: Saturday 11 to Sunday 12 August 2007
Times: 7.30pm
Tickets: Cost £12.50 for adults, £10.50 concessions and £9 for children available from Sudeley Castle’s box office on (01242) 602308.

SoGlos.com
5 August 2007